How to Find the Best GPS System - Shop for GPS Systems

How to Choose a GPS System
By Vincent M.

As suburban America has grown so has the need to navigate from one distant point to another with a modicum of accuracy.  Where once there was just AAA and then MapQuest.com to aid the weary traveler, now there are Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) navigation receivers aplenty to help one negotiate even the most dense cityscape, sprawling suburb, or long distance travel.  Equipped with the latest maps GPS navigation receivers can easily point the way on that cross-country trip to the grandparents for the holidays, or help you find your next interview destination.

Once the sole province of the U.S. military, GPS systems, or units are the must have accessory in any well appointed vehicle large or small.  And while most high-end luxury automobiles have GPS systems built into the dash, the rest of us are left deciding which portable GPS units fit our diverse needs.

But, like everything else electronic, there are a myriad of GPS systems from which to choose.  And the price-points can range from low as $79.99 for the tomtom ONE 130 Refurbished Auto Navigation System, to a high of $799.99 for the Garmin GPS StreetPilot 7200, a unit for larger vehicles like RVs and semi-trucks that can display navigation, entertainment, traffic and weather.  Which GPS system is right for you and your needs?  Let me help you make a more informed buying decision.       

Types of GPS Systems:

When deciding which GPS system may be right for you, I think it is important to understand how you are going to use the device; i.e. is it for hunting, hiking fishing, boating (marine navigation), or for use in a car.  Your application of a given GPS system will dictate what kind of unit you buy and how much you ultimately pay for it. Since car GPS systems are the most common purchased during the holidays, for purposes of this guide we will confine ourselves to the car GPS systems. 

There are basically two categories of car GPS devices available on the market:

1) Full Featured car GPS systems typically feature:

• Large (4.3") bright LCD screens that can be comfortably viewed at arm's length;
• Can be mounted on your car's dashboard or windshield;
• North American, U.S., or European maps;
• Provide Voice Guidance/Directions;
• Plethora of POI's

2) Handheld car GPS systems are characterized by:

• Smaller screens;
• Strictly battery powered;
• Do not offer voice guidance, or voice recognition;
• Non-feature-rich

GPS System Features and Functionality

In a car GPS system, the features that seems to matter most to consumers (count me among the interested), include:

• Large color screen;
• Detailed nationwide (or North American) maps;
• Points Of Interest (POI);
• Local and national traffic & weather reports;
• Vocal directions (in a number of the most popular languages);
• Voice recognition;
• Computer interface with computer;
• Frequency of new maps release, and;
• Cost of maps.

To me the most important GPS feature of any navigation system is the accuracy of the maps as well as the costs to update them. 

The next important feature for me, as I mentioned earlier is voice navigation, which allows me to concentrate on the road while still getting much needed directions.  POI's are not as important to me, but I do find them useful, like warning me when I am coming up on a school or church.  Traffic & weather are nice to have, but not worth the subscription service I would have to join to have them; the same information can be had from the radio for free. 

Voice recognition is a new feature being offered on mid - high end GPS receivers and depending on the unit may be more trouble than it's worth.   

Generally the more expensive the GPS system, the more features and functionality it brings to the dashboard, or the hand. 

GPS System Reviews & Recommendations   

There are several principle manufactures of car GPS systems; TomTom claims to be the largest, but Garmin lays claim to marketing the most popular units.  Magellan is also a popular brand, as is Mio.  Some other manufactures play in this area as well, but none offers the breadth of product at virtually every price point as do TomTom, Garmin, and Magellan.  What follows is my recommendation for high, mid, and low price point GPS systems.  These recommendations are based on my personal experience as well as GPS reviews I have read.

GPS systems when money is no object...

For those who demand the best, I have one brand to recommend: Garmin GPS systems.  More specifically the Garmin NUVI775T GPS Navigator ($599.99), which offers speech recognition, millions of POI, a big beautiful 4.3 inch screen with a 480x272 pixel resolution, 2D & 3D maps with day and night colors, and of course voice-guided directions.  The lightweight unit also includes MSN Direct a service designed to deliver real-time traffic, gas prices, weather, and much more.     

Next up is the Garmin Nuvi 670 Personal Travel Assistant ($426.00).  This unit comes pre-loaded with maps of North America and Europe, offers the same 4.3" screen as the Nuvi 775T, as well as Traffic Alerts w/Included GTM 20 FM TMC Traffic Receiver, an MP3 player, a JPEG picture viewer, and Bluetooth connectivity. 

GPS Systems when money is a bit of an object but functionality is just as important...

For those individuals who are more budget conscience: I recommend the Magellan RoadMate 1440 GPS Navigation System with touchscreen cabilities ($199.99) The Magellan RoadMate 1440 offers a 4.3" wide-screen as well as the OneTouch favorites menu and a rechargeable battery so you can use the GPS system even when the engine is turned off.  Additionally, the ultra-thin unit also includes imbedded AAA Tourbook travel guide information, Highway Lane Assist Signs, Auto Re-Route and Multi-Destination Routing with Route Optimization.

Another favorite: the TomTom GO 920 ($323.00), features a standard 4.3" LCD screen, 4GB of internal flash memory, pre-loaded maps of USA, Canada, and Europe, Bluetooth connectivity, voice recognition, voice navigation in (36) languages, (5) hour rechargeable Lithium-Polymer battery, and map share.  In addition, you can easily update the TomTom GO 920 with free software updates available for download from the Internet.         

GPS Systems when money is an object, but so is functionality and performance...

There are number of units available in a lower price range, including the Mio Moov 200 GPS Navigation System ($89.99); it features a 3.5 in. touchscreen, text-to-speech function, preloaded U.S. Map, and over 3.5 million POI's.  The GPS receiver is also designed so you can easily put it in your pocket or purse to take with you.

I also like the Garmin Etrex H ($99.99) Handheld GPS System. Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, the Garmin eTrex H comes with a high-sensitivity GPS receiver that locks onto satellite signals quickly and maintains accuracy - even in the toughest conditions.

Another favorite: the Motorolla MOTONAV GPS Navigation System with Text-to-Speech ($99.99).  The basic unit features a 3.5 in. anti-glare touchscreen, spoken street names with turn-by-turn directions, over a million searchable points of interest, pre-loaded maps of the US and 3D map perspectives.       

In Summary: For most of us time spent on the road is a part of life, whether one is commuting to the daily job, planning a trip to a neighboring country or state, or perhaps a trip across the country, some form a navigation assistance will be needed.  In times past we relied on paper maps from first AAA and then MapQuest.com, but now a quality GPS system is within even the most frugal among us.

GPS System Quick Picks

• Garmin GPS StreetPilot 7200 ($799.99)
• Garmin NUVI775T GPS Navigator ($599.99)
• TomTom GO 920 ($323.00)
• Garmin Nuvi 670 Personal Travel Assistant ($426.00)
• tomtom ONE 130 Touchscreen Display GPS System ($129.99)
• Magellan RoadMate 1440 GPS Navigation System ($199.99)
• Tomtom One 125 GPS Navigator Clamshell Unit ($158.99)
• Mio Moov 200 GPS Navigation System ($89.99)
• Garmin Etrex H Handheld GPS System ($99.99)
• Motorolla MOTONAV GPS Navigation System with Text-to-Speech ($99.99)

Vincent M. is an Information Technology Professional who has a keen interest in all things electronic. He has written over 1,500 consumer reviews on a broad spectrum of products, and he is a member of the Viewpoints Publishers Circle.  Vincent is a husband, father, grandfather and lives west of Chicago.